[mac5732]

Everyone has a different strategy based on what they like. In beginning against AI, I like to get all the research & trade treaties as possible, This increases yours as well and boosts your income and research capabilities. I build colony ships and colonize as many planets within range as possible and research mines in beginning and use them as defense over my planets and wormholes, later I supplement them with ftrs.
Research up to effective weapons, in beginning - missles, later on good beam weapons, armor & shields. You can use large Groups of ftrs to protect your systems and send out attack fleets to capture or pulverize your neighbors. Remember, in this game you expand or die. Against Human, like prior mentnioned, mine your planets and wormholes & build good ships & ftrs.
Depends on what you want to do in beginning, be defensive or offensive at first.

just some ideas mac